Pronunciation: [flˈuːks] (IPA) 
The word "flukes" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /fljuːks/. The first sound, /fl/, is a combination of the "f" and "l" sounds, followed by the long "u" sound /juː/. The final sound is the voiceless dental fricative /ks/, which is a combination of the "k" and "s" sounds. The spelling of "flukes" may seem counterintuitive, but it is a result of the word's historical evolution.
Flukes refer to a type of parasitic flatworms that are commonly found in the internal organs of various animals, including humans. They belong to the class Trematoda and are characterized by their leaf-shaped bodies, which are usually flat and elongated. Flukes exist in a wide range of species, each with unique morphological and biological features.
These parasites typically invade the host organism's body by attaching themselves to the walls of different organs, such as the liver, lungs, intestines, and blood vessels. Flukes are equipped with specialized suckers and hooks that enable them to anchor firmly, thus ensuring their long-term presence within the host. They primarily rely on the host's resources, including blood, nutrients, and other bodily fluids.
Flukes have complex life cycles involving multiple hosts. They generally lay their eggs within the host, which are then released via the host's digestive or excretory system. These eggs are capable of infecting intermediate hosts, such as snails or fish, where they undergo various developmental stages before becoming infective to the definitive host – typically a mammal, bird, or fish – where they complete their life cycle.
The presence of flukes in the host's body can result in significant health issues. In humans, fluke infections can lead to diseases like schistosomiasis, liver fluke infections, and lung fluke infections, which can manifest as symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe organ damage.
Overall, flukes are complex parasitic organisms that have evolved specialized adaptations to exploit and survive within their host organisms, posing considerable health risks to various animals, including humans.
The word "flukes" has multiple meanings and it can refer to different things depending on the context. Here, we assume you are referring to the term "flukes" that is often used to describe the lobes or projections on the tails of certain animals, such as whales or dolphins.
The word "flukes" in this context derives from the Middle English word "flukis" or "flookes", which appeared in the early 15th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "flug" or "flygja", which means "the act of flying". This Norse term was used specifically to refer to the wings or fins of a fish or bird.
Over time, the word "flukis" or "flookes" started to be used to describe the lobes or pointed projections on the tails of marine animals like cetaceans.
